Current:Home > ContactJodie Sweetin defends Olympics amid Last Supper controversy, Candace Cameron critiques -Secure Growth Solutions
Jodie Sweetin defends Olympics amid Last Supper controversy, Candace Cameron critiques
TradeEdge View
Date:2025-04-09 08:34:02
"Full House" alums Jodie Sweetin and Candace Cameron Bure are at odds over a scene from the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony that utilized drag performers.
The moment on Friday featured a cast of drag performers and dancers spread out over a table, which was meant to represent a Pagan celebration of Greek god Dionysus, although many interpreted it as a reference to Leonardo Da Vinci's religious painting "The Last Supper." Portrayed at the Olympics by French singer and actor Philippe Katerine, Dionysus – known to the Romans as Bacchus – has a close tie to France: In Greek mythology, he is the father of Sequana, the goddess of the River Seine.
"Tell me you don't know about art or history without TELLING me you don't know about art or history," Sweetin wrote on her Instagram story Monday.
She coupled her comments with a video from social media creator Walter Masterson explaining the connection between Dionysis, France and the Greek origins of the Olympics.
Sweetin's post comes a day after her former co-star Bure shared an impassioned critic of the opening ceremony scene, saying it "completely blasphemed and mock(ed) the Christian faith with their interpretation of 'The Last Supper' was disgusting."
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"It makes me mad, but I'm more sad. Because I'm sad for souls," Bure continued.
The 48-year-old actor added that although people have tried to "correct" her on her interpretation, she's "not buying it."
"I still don’t see how (Dionysus) relates to unifying the world through competitive sports and (is) acceptable for children to watch," she wrote in the caption.
While the Olympic ceremony performance could be said to depict one such celebration, some have even said the scene was reminiscent of not just Da Vinci's work, but other works as well.
Among them is “The Feast of the Gods," a 17th century painting from Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert depicting the Greek gods of Olympus crowded around a long table. At the center of the table is the sun god Apollo, recognizable by a halo of light around his head.
Did the Olympics mock the Last Supper?Explaining Dionysus and why Christians are angry
DJ files complaint after death threats following Olympics opening ceremony scene
French DJ and producer Barbara Butch, who performed at the Paris Olympics' opening ceremony, filed complaints against people who have harassed and threatened her since then, she said on Monday.
"(Since the ceremony) she has been threatened with death, torture, and rape, and has also been the target of numerous antisemitic, homophobic, sexist and fat-phobic insults," her lawyer said in a statement Butch posted on her Instagram account.
Butch therefore had filed several complaints against both French nationals and people outside of France, lawyer Audrey Msellati added. The targets of the complaints were not named in the statement.
During the Olympics opening ceremony, Butch was part of a kitsch tableau featuring drag queens. The tableau sparked fury among the Catholic church and far-right politicians, prompting Paris 2024 organizers to apologize on Sunday to Catholics and other Christian groups.
Thomas Jolly, the artistic director behind the ceremony, said the scene had not been inspired by "The Last Supper" but instead depicted a pagan feast linked to the gods of Olympus.
Contributing: Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY; Charlotte Van Campenhout, Reuters
veryGood! (6957)
Related
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- A rare battle at the Supreme Court; plus, Asian Americans and affirmative action
- Tessa Thompson Reacts to Michael B. Jordan’s Steamy Calvin Klein Ad
- Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne make great pals in 'Platonic'
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Elderly penguins receive custom lenses in world-first procedure
- Hoda Kotb Dealing With Family Health Matter Amid Today Absence
- How 2023 Oscar Nominee Ke Huy Quan Stole Our Hearts Everything Everywhere All at Once
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Master the Color-Correcting Tricks You’ve Seen on TikTok for Just $4: Hide Redness, Dark Circles & More
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Louis Armstrong's dazzling archive has a new home — his
- How 2023 Oscar Nominee Ke Huy Quan Stole Our Hearts Everything Everywhere All at Once
- A Type-A teen and a spontaneous royal outrun chaos in 'The Prince & The Apocalypse'
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Octavia Butler wrote a 'Parable' that became a prophecy — now it's also an opera
- Iran and Saudi Arabia to reestablish diplomatic relations under deal brokered by China
- In 'The Vegan,' a refreshing hedge-fund protagonist
Recommendation
Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
Former Shell CEO's pay package jumped 50% amid soaring energy prices
BET Awards honor hip-hop as stars pay tribute to legends such as Tina Turner
Summer House Preview: See Chris' Attempt at Flirting With Ciara Go Down in Flames
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
'Wait Wait' for July 1, 2023: With Not My Job guest Aleeza Ben Shalom
How Hailey Bieber Is Creating Her Own Rules in the Beauty Industry
3 YA fantasy novels for summer that bring out the monsters within